In addition to this, most of Florida sits at sea level. Its highest peak, a hill in Walton County, is only 345 feet above sea level! It’s surrounded by two huge bodies of water, and home to nearly 2000 rivers and lakes. All of this in combination provides the perfect elements for flooding to take place.

Historically, Florida has been hit by several particularly severe storms and hurricanes in the past, including, most memorably, Hurricane Andrew in 1992, which ripped through the state, leaving over one and a half million homes without power (some for nearly 6 months!), and hundreds of businesses along the coast virtually devastated. It was estimated that the storm cost over $25 billion dollars in damages.

More recently, Hurricane Isaac (2012) brought with it 15 inches of rainfall, flooding homes across the state and causing about $80 million of damage.

Side Effects of Flooding

Of course, flooding itself is problematic enough. The stress and worry of experiencing a flood can be extremely unpleasant, and it’s upsetting for homeowners and businesses alike. However, there are a number of other side effects caused by flooding, which can also cause significant problems. Fire ants, which swarm into the home when flooding happens, can prove to be highly dangerous, and standing water provides the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes and mold.

Mold, in particular, can be highly problematic, as it’s not immediately obvious. If left untreated, mold can cause a variety of health problems; including sneezing, wheezing and skin irritation, and in severe cases, mold infection on the lungs.

Tackling the Problem of Water Damage

If you’re one of the unlucky ones and find yourself experiencing flooding in your home or office, then the best course of action to take is to call in an expert water damage restoration service.

An experienced water damage restoration expert will make a visit to your property as soon as possible, in order to assess the extent of the damage and to recommend an appropriate course of action. Firstly, they’ll then focus on ridding the house of standing water (if it hasn’t drained away already) before tackling the problem of eradicating excess moisture, which is important, as it provides perfect conditions for mold to breed in.

They’ll also provide a deep cleaning service for carpets, rugs and other flooring, and they’ll use the correct equipment and products to ensure that your home is returned to its original, comfortable state.

Tampa Bay Water Damage Restoration experts, Gator Cleaning Services, are officially recognized by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration. Make sure you have the number, should the worst happen in your home; and a member of the Gator team will be round as soon as possible to help restore your home to normal once more. Simply call 813-929-1122 to get in touch.

The post Florida Flooding: A Brief Look at the Worst Storms in Florida appeared first on Gator Cleaning Solutions.